Binky the Space Cat

Starred review from November 1, 2009
Gr 1-4-The humor in this graphic novel hits every note: there are pratfalls and funny expressions, but readers will also appreciate the authors dry wit as a sheltered housecat trains for his big adventure in outer space. Binky, who thinks insects are aliens because they have big eyes and can fly, builds a rocket ship in his litter box out of household items, but then decides that he cannot abandon his beloved humans. Loads of onomatopoeia but relatively little text on each page make this a satisfying choice for early-chapter-book readers. Page layouts are varied yet consistently easy to follow. A palette of rich grays with accents of brighter colors gives the book a sophisticated look. Sweet and clever, and for those kids who disdain sweet and clever, there is also farting."Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2009
Grades 2-4 Binky is a housecat with a purpose: to build a rocket ship, explore outer space, and protect his humans from alien domination. So what if outer space is the world outside his front door, or that the aliens Binky battles are actually bugs? Hes a cat with a dream and only the thought of leaving his humans behind will keep Binky from his meeting with destiny. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations in this graphic novel perfectly capture idiosyncratic feline behaviors, and readers will instantly recognize the truth in Binkys perception of reality and appreciate the humor. The panels dont stick to a standard grid, keeping the pages from becoming too static, and are easy to follow so children new to the graphic format should have no trouble making sense of the story. With plenty of visual gags and a cute hero, this book is perfect for kids who are transitioning from easy readers to early chapter books, while the dry humor will also keep stronger readers engaged.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Binky, a pet cat with pointy ears and tiny eyes that convey his every emotion, thinks he's "Space Cat qualified" though he's never even ventured outdoors. He also builds a rocket ship to protect his humans from alien invaders (i.e., bugs). Spires uses the graphic novel format to good effect, building the story with giggle-inducing illustrations and just enough text to challenge young readers.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)